Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival facts for kids
The Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival is an exciting yearly event. It celebrates children's books and reading. The festival started in 1968. The University of Southern Mississippi helps put on this special event. It brings together authors, illustrators, and people who love children's literature.
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History of the Festival
How It Started
The idea for the festival came from Dr. Warren Tracy in 1968. He was in charge of the Library Science Department at The University of Southern Mississippi. He wanted to create a conference about children's books. The university supported his vision. This first event was called the Conference on the Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing of Children's Books. It soon became the yearly Children's Book Festival.
Before the festival began, Dr. Lena de Grummond started collecting children's books. She was also a professor at the university. With Dr. Tracy's help, she gathered many old and new children's books. She wrote to authors and illustrators. They sent original artwork and stories for the library. Today, the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection has works from over 1200 authors and illustrators.
Dr. Tracy wanted the festival to show off the de Grummond Collection. The first conference in May 1968 announced the collection's opening. Librarians, teachers, and parents were invited. They enjoyed three days of exhibits, workshops, and talks. Publishers and editors of children's books led these sessions. Dr. Francis Lander Spain, a past president of the American Library Association, spoke at the first evening session.
In 1969, the event became the Children's Book Festival. It also started a special tradition. This was the presentation of The University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. This award honors great work in children's literature. A group of experts chooses the winner each year. This award is unique because it celebrates an individual's entire career. It is not just for one book. Each medallion is also different. A silver medallion is made for the winner. It is also displayed in the de Grummond Collection. Bronze medallions are sold to the public. The winner's face is on one side. An illustration from their work is on the other. The first award went to author Lois Lenski. Many amazing children's authors and illustrators have received it since then.
Festival Leadership and Growth
From 1977 to 1980, Dr. Onva K. Boshears directed the festival. Dr. Jeannine Laughlin-Porter took over in 1980. That year, Ezra Jack Keats received the Southern Miss Medallion. He was a famous author and illustrator. After his visit, Keats became a strong supporter of the festival. He also supported the de Grummond Collection. After he passed away, the university received his personal papers and artwork. These materials are now in the de Grummond Collection. In 1985, the Keats Foundation started a special lecture series.
Dr. Boshears continued to help with the festival. He led the Medallion Selection Committee until 1993. In 1994, he became the festival director again. He stayed in this role until he retired in 2001. Dr. Rosemary Chance became the director in 2002. After she retired in 2004, Dr. Catharine Bomhold became the director.
In 1998, Miss Fay B. Kaigler created a new award. She was a retired elementary school teacher. This award, the Kaigler–Lamont Award, honors librarians or teachers. On December 5, 2001, the festival was renamed. It became the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival. This was to honor Miss Kaigler's generous gift to the festival.
The University of Southern Mississippi Medallion
The University of Southern Mississippi Medallion is a special award. It is given each year for "outstanding contributions in the field of children's literature." The festival first presented this award in 1969.
Silver medallions are made for the person who wins. They are also made for the university president and the award committee. A silver medallion is also kept in the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection. Bronze medallions are also made. People can buy these during the festival.
Medallion Winners
This award celebrates a person's lifetime of work. It has been given out every year since 1969.
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